We give a lot of thought to our dream kitchen or bathroom. That walk-in closet with a whole wall devoted to just shoes. Jacuzzi tubs and waterfall showers. But no one sees those extra goodies. In fact, they don’t even see the carefully matched pillows, curtains, and area rug you spend months agonizing over. This is all fine and dandy, your house is yours, meant for your pleasure. But if you’re thinking about making a little update to your home, consider the outside and all the possibilities that can be done to boost your curb appeal, and maybe even function of your home. Here are a few exterior updates you can tackle this spring.
About Face
Perhaps the most expensive endeavor for an external update, changing the facing of your house can do a lot for your home. Each type of facing has its pros and cons. For example, brick isn’t just beautiful, it’s also a great sound barrier and does wonders for containing heat and air. Stucco siding is another energy friendly house facing material that’s very contemporary and paintable. It will cost a pretty penny, but if it’s worth it to you, go for it!
A New Coat Of Paint
Painting is hands down the most popular, easy renovation to undertake for any area of the home. And depending on the materials of your home’s exterior, a new coat of paint can be applied to the entire shell of the house, or just small areas. For an inviting entrance, paint your door a welcoming shade of blue. If you have shutters, paint them to match your new door.
Door And Window Replacements
If you’re noticing your house never seems to stay warm or cool, there may be leaks in your doors and windows. New windows and doors can not only change the look of your home, it can also change the way it uses energy. More and more products are being made with the environment in mind, and most air is lost through door and windows. It’s a much larger investment than painting your old door a new color, but it’s one that will pay for itself in energy savings.
Accessories
Shutters and window boxes are an easy way to shake things up on the outside. Shutters come in an array of styles and can be added or taken away, depending on the aesthetic you’re aiming for. With window boxes, you can grow all sorts of vegetation from perennials to annuals, blooming flowers or dangling ivy. This means they can change or stay the same from year to year, and at a relatively low cost.
Lighting The Path
Not every house has a path from street to doorstep, or even driveway to porch. Some do, but they don’t all have lighting. If there are steps leading up to your door, you can light them with solar powered lanterns that line the path, or install recessed lighting into the steps themselves. A little light goes a long way.
Drought-Proofing Your Yard
If you really want to turn things on their head and do some wonders for the environment, switching to a drought-proof yard can reduce the amount of water used to maintain your yard as well as make a unique mark in a world of green lawns and white picket fences. Drought-proofing isn’t just limited to rocks and patio pavers either. There are tons of options for low-maintenance ground cover, including the herb Thyme. You can even install a beautiful recycled water fixture or sun-dial or bench to add flair to your front yard.
With spring right around the corner, now’s the time to take advantage of the changing seasons to bring some much needed change to your home. After all, you only get one chance to make a First impression. Make it count.